Bessie Pratka

"Bessie Vandegrift Pratka, 92, was welcomed into heaven on October 6, 2012 at 9:15 p.m. On January 5, 1920 a beautiful soul was born to the late Ira & Leona Vandegrift in Wharton, Texas. Bessie's spirited life led her to her husband the late Victor Louis Pratka and soon their family began to grow. The following lineage was a source of great love and affection for Bessie and also a testimony of our great love and affection for her.

Bessie and Victor had one daughter and three sons: Their daughter, Janet Anne Pratka Robinson of Patterson, LA., married the late Gayle R. Robinson, Sr. of Laurel, MS.,, parents to grandson Gayle R. Robinson, Jr., father to great-grandchildren Gayle R. III, Eric, Anne Marie, (mother to great-great grandchild Hayden), Victor and Tyler Robinson of Morgan City, LA; a grand-daughter Julia Robinson Orlando married to Don Orlando, parents of great grandchildren Don Jude Jr., Christie, Carly and the late Julianna Marie Orlando of Patterson, LA; a grandson, Jeff Louis Robinson married to Brenda Gaudet Robinson, parents of great-grandchildren Beaugh, Meaghan, Collin and Elizabeth Robinson of Maryville, TN.

Their son, Victor Raymond Pratka married to Melanie Fabre Pratka of Freeport, TX, parents to grandchild the late Vanessa Anne Pratka Neal married to the late Randall Neal of Lake Jackson, TX; grandson David Pratka married to Sharon Firmin, parents to great-grandchildren Hannah and Hailey Pratka of Baton Rouge, LA; a grand-daughter, Georgette Pratka Cates married to Tim Cates, parents to great-grandchildren Brayden , Addison and Sydney Boudreaux and Griffin Cates of Lake Jackson, TX.

Their son, the late Ben Al Pratka and Judy Clement Pratka, parents to grand-daughter Arleene Pratka Breaux married to Randy Breaux, parents of great-grandchildren Marilyn and John Breaux of Fort Smith, AR; a grand-daughter Lisa Pratka of Dallas, TX.

Their son, Samuel Lee Pratka, father to grand-daughters, Lee Ann, Vanessa D'Anna and Joy Pratka of Youngsville, LA.

Bessie and Victor settled in Patterson, La where she was an avid gardener. She worked at Lakewood Hospital as a practical nurse for 27 years starting in the nursery and finally working nights in the emergency room. Earning the nickname "Cheyenne" Bessie became a legend in her own time.

After retiring Bessie spent time with her beloved animals, her flower garden, taking in stray felines and feeding the native wild birds. She lived a long and contented life, full of love. Our memories of her will be cherished and shared with generations still to come.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Leona Vandegrift, her husband, Victor Louis Pratka, a brother Henry "Bud" Vandegrift and a sister Iona Vandegrift Strarup, a son, Ben Al Pratka and a grand-daughter, Vanessa Anne Pratka Neal and a great-grand daughter, Julianna Marie Orlando.

A gathering in memory of Bessie will be held at the home of Don & Julie Orlando in Patterson on Tuesday evening from 6 – 9 p.m. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 10th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City, La with funeral services taking place at 11am.